Nova Loses Stars

Outlook Still Bright

FORT LAUDERDALE -- The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fit, but the picture still isn`t clear enough for Nova University soccer coach Hal Henderson to make any predictions.

After losing five starters, four of them leading scorers off last season`s 10-7 team, the NAIA Hall of Fame coach isn`t quite sure what to expect this season.

``We have so many new faces,`` Henderson said. ``But we`re finding our attitude is better than it`s ever been here.``

The Knights` new lineup will get its first test tonight at 7 when they host Florida International University at Brian Piccolo Park.

``We are kind of scrambling,`` Henderson said. ``We lost our top four scorers from last year and we are looking to replace them. We`re a little lean because we don`t have the depth.``

Though the Knights played ``a little ragged`` in two practice games, Henderson said ``we played really well as a team.

``We`re going to be a family out there,`` he said. ``In the past we have been a little bit splintered. It had a lot to do with two or three factions among the team. That`s why we broke down last year because of our attitude and our lack of fitness. This year things have changed.``

Nova has moved its home playing field from the cramped Griffin Park complex to Brian Piccolo Park. It`s four miles off campus, which may lose Nova a few fans, but the bigger field should open up the game for the Knights.

``We get off the matchbox and get to play on a big, smooth field,`` Henderson said. ``This opens up our game plan. We get to play soccer like it should be played.``

The Knights are big and strong up front with Mike Kraus and Victor Lehoczky. Kraus, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from St. Louis, plays sweeper. Lehoczky, a 6-3 senior from North Miami Beach, played at Miami-Dade North and Florida Atlantic University before transferring. Two players expected to make an immediate impact are Jamaicans Michael Manning and Paul Bennett, Miami Dade- North transfers. Dade-North made it to the final eight in last year`s junior college playoffs.

Freshman midfielder Marcello Braghetta could work his way into a starting position. Braghetta grew up in Venezuela and played soccer at American Heritage.

The goalkeeper position is solid with former Cooper City High player Alex Pizarro a returning starter. College of Boca Raton transfer Phil Salvagio and Rohan Jackson, both sophomores, add depth.

``Our main concern is fitting the pieces all together by the time the district tournament rolls around,`` Henderson said. ``We could go 0-5 to start the season. This is one of those years we`re not going to worry about rankings or records. Nothing, that is, but the playoffs.``